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Life Workshops

The Suicide Awareness and Prevention Skills Workshop was developed by the Foundation, Queensland Health and the Department of Communities after Cyclone Larry destroyed areas south of Cairns in 2006. Since them, workshops have been presented in 16 communities across the Tableland, Cape, Cassowary Coast and Cairns regions with many requests for repeat workshops.

"Life Workshops provide a way for communities to address the increasing number of suicides by assisting the person in the street - not just health professionals," said Executive Officer Dulcie Bird. "The workshop is delivered respecting the communities' differences in communication and understandings about health. It focuses on the participation of the communities themselves. Community education progresses as key stakeholders become more aware of mental health issues including suicide prevention for the benefit of each community as a whole, as well as each individual."

The workshop allows for discussion around suicide, suicidal thinking, how normal it is, and the myths and facts about suicide. Dialogue then centres around who is most at risk and the general themes for risk. Small group activities focus on risk, protective factors and warning signs. General guidelines for assisting people who may be at risk are given, and information about resources in the community is provided.

"Each participant receives a copy of a flow chart developed by the Foundation specific to their local community," Dulcie said. "It acts as a guide for community members when working with people at risk of self-harm and suicide and provides referral contacts and information on suicide and other mental health concerns. We allow time in each workshop for reflection, group activities, a chance to network and an opportunity to check out the resources in their communities. We also evaluate future planning needs through pre- and post-workshop surveys".

The three-hour Life Workshops are innovative and outstanding because they work in partnership with local communities (Indigenous/Islander/non-Indigenous) and use local skills and knowledge to ascertain what each community needs. Workshops are run using paid, trained clinicians with expertise in suicide interventions and trauma. Foundation volunteers prepare information packages for each participant to reduce operation costs. Workshop partners are Cape PCYC, the Tablelands Regional Council and Perpetual Trustees, funding that enables the workshop to be free to participants.

Colleagues can be severely affected by the loss of a workmate to suicide. Corporations with their staff's interest at heart are now requesting that these workshops be made available within the work environment. Workshops are also suitable for small and large community groups, business organisations, local, state and federal government agencies, volunteer groups, sporting clubs and other groups and organisations.

For more information, email admin@kochfoundation.org.au or phone Dulcie on 4031 0145.